Bivalve-catcher.



R. M. COLEMAN; 'BIVALVE GATOHER.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1912.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

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BIVALVE GATCHER.

APPLIGA'I'ION nun) SEPT. 20, 1912.

1,052,652; Patented Feb. 11,1913.

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ROBERT M. COLEMAN, OF HIGDEN, ARKANSAS.

BIVALVE-CATCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

Application filed September 20, 1912. Serial No. 721,451.

1'o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ronna'r M. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at lligden, in the county of Cleburne and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bivalve-Catchers, of wlnch the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bivalve catchers and the object of the invention is to provide a sim le, ellicient and durable device which may e operated in such a manner that it does not have to be removed from the water at each o)cration, but may be operated a number of times until all of the catcher tines, or substantially all of them, have a bivalve attached thereto.

The invention embodies a plurality of slidablv mounted catching tines having pointer flesh-pricking ends adapted to enter the shell and cause the bivalve to close thereon so that it may be lifted from its bed.

A further ob'ect of the invention is the provision of a evice of this character havmg a rudder removably secured thereto so that, when in use, the frame or device will be prevented from turning or twisting in the water.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following s ecific description is read in connection witi the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation. top plan view. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of 'Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one 0 the tines removed from the frame.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents a plurality of flat hoo s or bands which are connected together y the diagonally extending cross pieces 2 rivctcd to the bands or hoops and are connected in the center by a supporting rod 8. The outer ends of the braces 2 have their outer ends turned vertically at right angles to the bodies thereof to provide bracing extensions 4 which are connected to the sup )orting rod 3 by converging links 5 apertureh to receive the rod 3 and held in position thereon at their upper ends by a limiting collar 6 and a clamp nut 7 threaded u on the end of the rod 3. A ring 8 is swive ed to the end of the rod 3 so as to receive a connectin rope 9 which is provided for lowering and raising Fig. 2 is a the device. The upper ends of the bracin extensions 4 have secured thereto diagona braces 10, which extend from the members 4 to the cross pieces 2.

Each one of the hoops or flat bands is provided with a plurality of holes separated about an inch apart and slidably mounted in these holes are the tine members 11 having their upper ends provided with loops 12 which limit the downward movement of the tines. Intermediate their length the tines are rovided with coils 13 which form weig ts and also limiting stops for preventing the penetrating points 14 from entering the shell too far and possibly killing the bivalve. Each penetrating pomt is sharpened, as shown at 15, and in rear of the sharpened point the point is provided with an annular notch 16 which, when the shell is clamped upon the point, prevents removal of the same.

If necessary, a rudder, such as is shown at 17, may be employed and if necessary may be removably attached to the frame by Wrapping one end thereof around the supporting rod 3 and the opposite end partially around one of the bracing extensions 4 and bending the end or prong formed on the rudder over the hook 18 which is formed on one of the links 5 which passes through the bracing extension 4.

In the operation of the device the frame is lowered to a oint immediately over the bivalve bed wiere the bivalves are feeding with their shells open. The rope is then suddenly released, thus permitting the frame and tines to drop rapidly upon the bed. Certain of the penetrating points will enter the open shells of the bivalves and prick the flesh of the bivalve, causin it to close u on the penetrating Wong. '1 to frame is tien lifted slowly until the bivalves caught upon the tines have been withdrawn from their bed and the frame is shifted in either direction and dropped again. This operation is repeated until it is practically certain that al of the tines have bivalves thereon. The machine is then lifted out of the water and the bivalves forcibly removed therefrom. Those tines having bivalves thereon when the device is dropped a second time will rise through the holes in the hoops in the same manner that the tines arise when engaging a stone or a raised hard surface on the bottom.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed, is

1. A device of the class described comprising a frame, means for raising and lowering the same, and a plurality of entering tines slidably mounted thereon.

2. A device of the class described comprising a frame, means for raising and lowering the same, and a plurality 0 weighted entering tines slidably mounted therein.

8. A device of the class described comprising a frame, means for raising and lowering the same, a lurality of weighted entering tines slidab y mounted therein, and a rudder carried by the frame for preventing the same from turning in swift water.

4. A bivalve catching device comprising a frame, means for raising and lowering the same a pluralit of pointed enteringtines slidably mounte in the frame, and weighted and limiting coils formed in the length of the tines.

5. A bivalve catching device comprising a frame a plurality of pointed enterln tines slidabiy mounted therein, said tines aving retaining notches formed adjacent their pointed ends and weighted and limiting coils formed in their lengths, and a rudder carried by the frame for preventing the same from turning in swift water.

In testimon whereof I aiiix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

ROBERT M. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

F. N. HaNnensoN, Hrnnenr LITTER.

Oopleu of mpatent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

